Rumors, Ruin and the Duke by Karla Kratovil

Author:Karla Kratovil
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
ISBN: 9781962707602
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2024-06-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

The Bartlebys led them to an empty receiving room, where Hart gently deposited Lucy onto a chaise. Lady Bartleby moved about the room, lighting candles, bathing the room with soft light. Lucy lay flat, staring up as Hart towered over her, his harsh features etched with concern. She attempted to scoot herself up to a sitting position, but Hart laid a firm hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t move,” he commanded. “How much does it hurt?”

Her eye throbbed like a beating heart and hurt to open the eyelid. Lucy sank back against the cushions. “It hurts something horrible. I still can’t believe that he hit me. Why do men do this to each other for sport?” The pillow behind her head was soft and forgiving as the ache in her eye spread to thrum throughout her head.

Hart chuckled. “Only you could make me laugh when I am this furious.” He sat down on the edge of the chaise next to her hip. “Can you open it and tell me if you can see my finger.” He held up his pointer finger in front of her face.

She ordered her eyelid to open and blinked several times as she tried to focus with that eye on Hart’s finger. “It feels too swollen to open very much. But I can see with it.”

“All right. Can you follow my finger without moving your head, just with your eyes?” His finger went slowly right, then back again all the way to the left.

She felt foolish lying on her back watching his finger move around above her. “It’s fine. I see you. Can I sit up now?”

“Yes. Your movement of the eyeball is good. I don’t think he damaged it. But I’m afraid to say that your eye is definitely starting to bruise.”

“Wonderful.” Lucy shut her eyes. “Now, would someone explain to me what just happened in there? I know that Fitzwilliam is delusional, but his attack was out of character even for him.”

Trudy stopped her pacing. Lucy could smell her perfume as she came to a stop by the chaise where Lucy lay. She peered out of her left eye to find Trudy glowering across at Hart.

“What exactly did the man say to you?” she demanded.

“He said I refused his suit so I could snatch her into my clutches.” His wry tone melted into another chuckle.

“Clearly, he reads the scandal pages too.” Trudy sighed and then turned her attention to Lady Bartleby. “Eloise, thank you so much for your discretion. Could I have a moment alone with my family?”

“Of course, dear. Whatever you need,” Lady Bartleby replied. A light knock at the door sent Lady Bartleby across the room to answer. “Ah, here is the compress for Miss Middleton’s eye. Thank you, Mildred.” She took a bowl and cloth from the maid and passed it to Hart. “I’ll leave you then. Ring if you need anything, and I expect to hear from you very soon, Trudy. You well know how many questions I will be asked.” She gave Aunt Trudy a loaded glance from under her eyelashes before quitting the room.

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